The lamp-posts are poetical...the lamp-post really has the whole poetry of man, for no other creature can lift a flame so high and guard it so well. --G K Chesterton, London Times July 24, 1909.

"As she stood looking at it, wondering why there was a lamp-post in the middle of a wood and wondering what to do next, she heard a pitter patter of feet coming toward her..." (C S Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia)

Saturday, September 19, 2009

George Whitefield's Crypt - Old South Church, Newburyport, MA

One of the blessings of living in New England is that history is right in our back yard. The great evangelist/preacher of the Great Awakening George Whitefield's crypt is buried in a church he founded in Newburyport, MA. I can't believe I've lived here this long without having visited it. So, today I decided to drive the 2.7 miles over to Old South Church and visit.

While I was looking around at the outside of the church we met a guy on his way inside. I anxiously asked if there is a way to get a look inside. Just then the pastor of the church Rob John came to the door. Providentially he allowed us in for the '50 cent' tour. He said, next time, it is really helpful to call first...yeah, I was a little pushy, but hey it's George Whitefield's crypt! Thanks to Pastor Rob and his church member for being gracious to us. Take a look at some of the pictures below:Though Whitefield never pastored at Old South, he was good friends with the first pastor there Jonathan Parsons with whom he is here buried (along with Joseph Mince, a minister who preached blind). It was pretty stunning standing at the pulpit, which felt about 10 feet higher than the pews for the congregation, under which Whitefiled is buried. After that, I took a seat by the crypt itself in the basement (that skull behind me is just a mold as his real skull is underneath with the rest of his remains!).

Of course Whitefield is in glory, awaiting the resurrection, and forgiven of all his sins through a mighty Christ, as he said, "What if thou hadst committed the sins of a million worlds? Christ's righteousness will cover, Christ's blood will cleanse thee from the guilt of all."